Sunda Laughingthrush

Relatively colorful cisticola with a rufous cap and back of the neck, and a gray back with dark streaking. There are two bands across the tip of the tail, one pale and one black. Found in open montane habitats including grassland, bracken, and marsh edge. The song consists of several consecutive “tsee-wit” couplets. As with other cisticolas, habitat and vocalizations are important to identification. Similar to Wailing Cisticola, but has a brighter rufous cap without streaking, and paler underparts.

The only waxwing endemic to the old world, this species is similar to its Bohemian relative, but with pink instead of yellow tail tips and a yellow-tinged belly. Irruptive and inconsistent in its movements during the colder months, following crops of berries to wintering grounds, where it frequently gathers in large and noisy feeding flocks. Combination of dark mask, loose crest, and overall brown coloration distinguish it from similarly-sized non-waxwing species in its range.

The smallest loon, with a slender neck and bill. Often holds the thin bill at an upward angle. In breeding plumage, note smooth gray head, brick-red throat, and dark back. In winter, dark cap and hind neck contrast with white face and throat. In flight, often lowers and raises head more than other loons; also note small feet. Juveniles can look quite dark with a smudgy gray neck and limited white throat. Often confused with other loons, especially Pacific and Arctic; note overall head and bill shape and less sharp contrast to the head pattern. Breeds on ponds in the Arctic tundra. Winters primarily on saltwater, but can use large lakes and reservoirs in migration. Sometimes gathers in loose flocks where food is plentiful.